Former big league slugger Matt Williams will be a candidate to replace Davey Johnson as manager of the Washington Nationals next season, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reports.

Williams, who has been a coach with the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2010, was a finalist during the offseason for the Colorado Rockies job that ultimately went to Walt Weiss. He managed the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League last year but doesn't have an extensive managerial background.

Matt Williams is the Diamonbacks' third-base coach. (AP Photo)

Heyman points out the 47-year-old Williams "is an extremely well respected as a coach because of his diligence and team-first attitude."

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo was scouting director for the D-backs in the early 2000s, when Williams was playing for the team.

Washington plans to conduct a national search to replace Johnson, 70, who announced in November that 2013 would be his last season at the Nationals' helm. The team, which was picked by most to win the National League East, is below .500 and trails the Atlanta Braves by double digits.

In his 17-season major league career, Williams hit .268 with 378 homers, 1,218 RBIs and a .317 on-base percentage. The five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner last played in the majors in 2003.